Browbeat

To intimidate or bully someone through aggressive or intimidating behavior, words, or actions. This often involves using threats, insults, or persistent pressure to coerce the person into doing what the browbeater desires. The goal of browbeating is typically to control, dominate, or extract something from the victim, be it agreement, information, or obedience. It can manifest in a variety of settings, including interpersonal relationships, workplaces, and even political spheres. The act of browbeating exploits power imbalances and relies on psychological manipulation to achieve its objectives. It's a form of emotional abuse, causing feelings of fear, insecurity, and worthlessness in the target.

Browbeat meaning with examples

• The manager attempted to browbeat the employee into working overtime, constantly reminding him of the consequences of not meeting the deadline. He used threatening language and emphasized the potential for job loss to achieve his goal. This created a hostile work environment.
• During the negotiation, the lawyer tried to browbeat the opposing counsel with aggressive questioning and dismissive remarks, aiming to undermine their confidence and gain an advantage in the case. This aggressive tactic proved unproductive.
• The older sibling would often browbeat their younger sibling, constantly belittling their achievements and threatening to withhold toys if they didn't follow their every command. This caused significant emotional distress.
• The detective used browbeating tactics during the interrogation, yelling and making accusations without concrete evidence to pressure the suspect into confessing to the crime, which ultimately resulted in a coerced confession that was later dismissed.